๐ค UP THE IRONS, LONDON โ MAIDEN ARE COMING FOR YOU!
The beast is back! Iron Maiden are storming into London Stadium, and every self-respecting Trooper is gearing up for a night of heavy metal majesty, epic solos, pyro madness, and Bruce bloody Dickinson defying the laws of time and space.
But before the first scream echoes across Stratford and the pyro kicks off with a bang, thereโs something just as crucial to sort outโฆ
WHERE THE HELL ARE WE MEETING FOR PINTS AND PIZZA? ๐๐บ
Whether youโre flying in from Cardiff, crawling up from Croydon, or trekking from Tokyo, this is your complete survival guide for eating, drinking, and living your best metal life before and after Maidenโs London Stadium gig.
๐ป PRE-GIG PUB CRAWL โ CHARGE YOUR TANKARDS
1. The Cow, Westfield Stratford
๐ 2 Chestnut Plaza, E20 1GL
Big, bustling, and basically the Maiden fan HQ for the day. Expect walls lined with Troopers, Maiden tees as far as the eye can see, and chants of โScream for me LONDON!โ before doors even open.
๐ Why it’s good: Huge inside, lots of beers on tap, food if youโre peckish.
โ ๏ธ But beware: It gets rammed early โ get in sharpish.
2. The Bat and Ball
๐ 2 Montfichet Road, Westfield, E20 1EJ
Want to challenge your mate to ping pong while debating if Somewhere in Time is the most underrated Maiden album? This is your place. Modern, fun, and metal-friendly on gig days.
๐ง Fun fact: The jukebox sometimes pumps out classic rock and metal โ queue up โThe Trooperโ and get the place roaring.
3. The Abbey Tap
๐ 12 Broadway, E15 4QS
Bit more old-school, bit more loud. Think rock playlist, burger in one hand, pint in the other. Prices are decent and thereโs always a lively pre-show buzz.
๐ฅ Pro tip: Ask for a shot of something demonic โ itโs tradition.
4. Howling Hops Brewery
๐ Hackney Wick, E9 5EN
You want a proper pint before the gig? This place is a craft beer heaven and only a 15โ20-minute walk from the stadium. Great atmosphere, warehouse vibes, and often full of gig veterans.
๐ Bonus if theyโve got Trooper Ale on tap โ Eddie approved!
5. The Carpenterโs Arms
๐ 12 Seymour Rd, E10 7LX
No-frills East End magic. Pub carpet, proper pint of lager, and probably a geezer at the bar who saw Maiden in ’83. A true local haunt.
๐ค Come for the beer, stay for the stories.
๐ LINING THE STOMACH โ GIG GRUB THAT SLAPS
A dry stomach and six pints is how you end up missing โFear of the Darkโ because you passed out by the toilets. Here’s where to eat without losing your spot in the queue.
๐ Smoky Boys (Westfield)
๐ Inside Westfield Stratford
If Iron Maiden were a meal, itโd be this โ smoky, savage, juicy and loud. Burgers stacked like Steve Harrisโ amp rig and wings thatโll make you sweat harder than the circle pit.
๐ฏ Tortilla (Burrito Wrap Express)
๐ Westfield Stratford
In a rush? Grab a burrito or taco and eat on the way to the merch stand. Fuel for the pit and way tastier than anything in the stadium.
๐ฅ Extra jalapeรฑos if you’re feeling brave, Trooper.
๐ Five Guys
Alright, itโs a chain, but those Cajun fries hit different when you’re halfway through the queue and suddenly realise you haven’t eaten since breakfast. Burgers are big, greasy, and rockโnโroll approved.
๐ Gotto Trattoria (Hackney Wick)
๐ Canalside, Here East, E9 5EN
Fancy something a bit more grown-up? Classy but still casual. Pizza, wine, riverside views. Good for calming the nerves before the sonic assault.
๐ท Goes down smooth with a Maiden tee and eyeliner.
๐ค AFTER THE CHAOS โ POST-GIG DRINKS & DEBRIEF
Once Bruce has bellowed the final note and Eddie has vanished in smoke and flames, youโll either be on cloud nine or buzzing for another pint.
Hereโs where to head after the encore.
๐ฅ King Edward VII (Stratford)
๐ 47 Broadway, E15 4BQ
Lovely old pub with a solid beer selection and comfy seats โ perfect for the post-gig comedown. Youโll bump into fellow Maiden fans reliving every riff and drum fill.
๐ธ Good chance someoneโs watching fan-recorded clips on their phone already.
๐บ The Lock Inn (Hackney Wick)
๐ 26 White Post Ln, E9 5EN
Chilled riverside spot with late-night drinks, strong cocktails and a hip but friendly vibe. If youโre not ready to head home and want one last singalong, this is your place.
โฐ๏ธ Camden Metal Crawl (if you’re a night owl)
Feel like partying โtil dawn? Hop on the Overground to Camden and crawl between The Dev, The Black Heart, and The Underworld.
โ ๏ธ May contain spontaneous mosh pits, leather jackets, and whisky.
๐ซ WHAT TO AVOID
Letโs keep it real โ not everything around Stratford is a dream.
โ Stadium drinks โ ยฃ7.50 for warm lager? Do one.
โ Post-gig fast food queues โ Uber Eats will beat you home.
โ Stratford Station toilets โ Honestly, we wonโt go into detail. Just… no. ๐งป๐
๐ง FINAL TIPS FROM ONE TROOPER TO ANOTHER
๐ Doors open early โ aim to be inside by 6PM
๐ Bag check is strict โ leave the battle jacket spikes at home
๐ Buy your merch early โ those XLs vanish quicker than a Nicko solo
๐๏ธ Print your ticket or make sure your phone is juiced โ donโt be that person
๐งผ Toilets are few, queues are long โ go before you leave the pub
๐ Earplugs if you’re near the front โ or risk sounding like a Dalek the next day
๐ง Stay with your group โ itโs easy to lose mates in the pit
๐ฌ IN THE WORDS OF BRUCEโฆ
โScream for me London!โ
We will, Bruce. Oh, we will. ๐ฅ๐ค
This isnโt just a gig. Itโs a rite of passage. A pilgrimage. A thunderous, beer-fuelled metal celebration in the heart of the capital.
So eat well. Drink like Eddie’s watching. And scream until your voice is gone.
๐ดโโ ๏ธ See You in the Pit, Troopers!
Got any top tips or pub plans of your own? Drop them in the comments and letโs make this Maiden night a proper riot. Cโmon London โ letโs raise the horns and raise hell! ๐ค๐โก
